ADWAITH
Bato Mato (Libertino)
For a group pitched for fans of Siouxsie & The Banshees, Gwenno and The Breeders, and who were awarded the Welsh Music Prize in 2019, the prospect of releasing the ‘difficult second album’ could understandably be true. With Bato Mato, Adwaith needn’t worry.
Adwaith bring forth their second (Welsh-language) LP, Bato Mato, a record influenced by journeys navigating adulthood – beyond their native Carmarthen, even aboard the Trans-Siberian Express. This is an album reminiscent of Boy Azooga and The Orielles, with a sound that captures a group daring and achieving to capture both intimacy and self-assurance.
Early tracks Cuddio and Sudd are slick, postpunk-infused opening hooks, whilst Nid Aur picks up the pace before the striking bassline of Oren paves the way for the album’s closer. The brilliant, dreamy, amped-up shoegaze of Eto garnered attention from Huw Stephens on BBC 6 Music in the spring and likely ensured many will spend summer playing this album.
words CHLOË EDWARDS
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